Veterans Court begins in Marshall Co.

A new statewide pilot program is underway in Marshall County, designed to help veterans who come back home only to run afoul of the law.

The new program is similar to drug court, which gives a person a second chance in having their charges dismissed.

The first four veterans facing criminal offenses appeared Wednesday morning for the first Veteran's Court in Marshall County.

Seven counties in Alabama are taking part in the pilot program.

Officials said some veterans who serve are having problems adjusting back to civilian life once they return from active duty. The goal is to help these vets get back to the structured life they once had.

Only veterans are allowed in the program.

They begin by pleading guilty and come back to court each month and are randomly drug and alcohol tested. Unlike standard drug court, a veteran's crime can either be a felony or a misdemeanor.

"Drugs do not even have to be involved with the case. It can be a simple misdemeanor case of harassment or domestic violence, or if a person just needs services - and we try to provide them with the needs that they are not getting," said Marcheta Shaw, Marshall County Court Referral Services Director.

Three adult males and one juvenile were arrested in Limestone County on Thursday after a four-hour manhunt and charged with multiple counts stemming from a string of vehicle thefts.

A ground search ensued that lasted about four hours and covered approximately six miles, ending a few hundred yards east of Hays Mill Road where the suspects were caught in a hunting stand/shoot house.

A ground search ensued that lasted about four hours and covered approximately six miles, ending a few hundred yards east of Hays Mill Road where the suspects were caught in a hunting stand/shoot house.

A nonstop route to Orlando is coming soon to Huntsville International Airport. Silver Airways, an airline based out of Fort Lauderdale, will start the new route on May 23, 2018. The airline made the announcement on Tuesday. Silver plans to fly its new ATR-600 aircraft to complete the 600 mile trip. The ATR-600 is a twin-engine turboprop aircraft that can seat up to 70 people on some models. Silver Airways says its model will feature leather seating, increased leg room and sp...

A nonstop route to Orlando is coming soon to Huntsville International Airport. Silver Airways, an airline based out of Fort Lauderdale, will start the new route on May 23, 2018. The airline made the announcement on Tuesday. Silver plans to fly its new ATR-600 aircraft to complete the 600 mile trip. The ATR-600 is a twin-engine turboprop aircraft that can seat up to 70 people on some models. Silver Airways says its model will feature leather seating, increased leg room and sp...